Phuket reopens tourism with a ‘welcome back home’ message

The campaign is a tribute to acknowledging Phuket’s people and supporting local neighbours  

As tourists prepare for the reopening of international, vaccinated travel to the Phuket Sandbox, the island’s real estate launches their ‘Welcome Back Home’ campaign, reported C9 Hotelworks.  

Leading up to the Sandbox, Phuket’s private sector has come together in support of its greatest asset, its people. The island’s rich cultural tapestry is the theme of the newly launched ‘Welcome Back Home’ hospitality community collaboration. 

‘Welcome Back Home’ is a unique undertaking between the Laguna Phuket, Phuket Tourist Association, Delivering Asia Communications, and C9 Hotelworks. The social media-focused campaign in the runaway to 1st July spotlights the voice and images of Phuket people, reflecting their endurance during the pandemic and promptness to welcome travelers back home in the upcoming weeks.  

The main component of Thailand’s Sandbox scheme is the aim to vaccinate a baseline of over 70 percent of Phuket residents. Along with local government resources to fight against COVID-19, hotels have opened their doors to host vaccination centres and help achieve the numbers.  

Ravi Chandran, Laguna Phuket’s managing director who has experienced past events like SARS, the Asian tsunami, and the global financial crisis, said, “The Sandbox has brought together various tourism organisations in a way our industry has never witnessed before.” 

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“The Sandbox has broken down barriers within our industry, and the hope displayed in the determination and spirit is teaching us a true-life lesson. Welcome Back Home is our tribute to acknowledging people first and supporting our local neighbours and not just relying on Instagram-ready photo libraries,” Chandran added. 

With over two days of traveling the length and breadth of the island visiting local villages, markets, and fishing communities, the campaign was shot by Delivering Asia Communications’ Thai photographer and videographer, Thunwa Siripotisorut.

Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, Sandbox champion and President of the Phuket Tourism Association, expressed pride in the efforts of local people, “There will be bumps in the road, but we will get there. We are working together as one, one island. The industry has never shared a vision and intent so passionately.”